Former presidents set to attend Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Presidential Center is set to open Thursday in Chicago, and a new report says three former presidents plan to attend the opening ceremony.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported Wednesday that former Presidents Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton intend to be present for an event marking the centers opening. The outlet cited a source familiar with the plans.

According to the same report, the gathering is also expected to include former first ladies Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Jill Biden. The Hill reported it has contacted the Obama Foundation seeking confirmation of the presidents attendance.

A high-profile opening for a new presidential institution

The reported guest list would place the centers opening among the more prominent political convenings in recent years, bringing together leaders from both major parties at a single civic ceremony. Biden is a Democrat and the immediate predecessor to former President Barack Obama in the White House; Bush is a Republican; Clinton is a Democrat.

Presidential centers and libraries often serve as both historical repositories and platforms for public programming, with openings used to signal the ambitions of the institution. In this case, the Obama Presidential Center is also launching with a large public-facing ceremony rather than a quiet ribbon-cutting.

The report did not include additional details about the schedule for remarks or whether any of the former presidents will speak. It also did not say whether other current officeholders will attend.

Performers and message: music, civic optimism, and scale

The grand opening ceremony is expected to lean heavily on entertainment, with a list of award-winning performers billed for the event. Valerie Jarrett, chief executive of the Obama Foundation, described the program as distinct from typical political ceremonies.

Jarrett said the event will be unlike any other  filled with music, performances, and hope. She added that organizers hope the ceremony will encourage people to believe in their power to bring change home.

Performers listed for the ceremony include Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, The Roots, Common, Jennifer Hudson, Marc Anthony, Tems, and U2s Bono and The Edge. The lineup underscores an effort to frame the opening as a cultural moment as much as a political one.

For the Obama Foundation, an opening attended by multiple former presidents and first ladies would confer institutional stature, potentially helping draw visitors, donors, and national media attention to Chicago. For the former leaders, attendance offers a largely nonpartisan stage: a civic event with broad symbolism and limited immediate policy stakes.

Chicago stands to gain from the visibility and visitor activity that can come with a major presidential site, particularly if the center becomes a durable destination for programming. The emphasis on high-profile performances suggests organizers are aiming for reach beyond the usual audience for presidential institutions.

The next near-term question is confirmation. With the Obama Presidential Center opening Thursday and the Obama Foundation not yet confirming the reported presidential attendance, watchers will look for official statements and final schedules as the ceremony approaches.